A primer on studying effects of relationship duration in dyadic research: Contrasting cross-sectional and longitudinal approaches. (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brauer, Kay; Sendatzki, Rebekka; Proyer, René T.
• Is Part Of: Journal of social and personal relationships. Volume 39:Number 7(2022)
• Page Start: 2117
• Page End: 2133
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: Dyadic data analysis -- relationship duration -- relationship length -- study design -- cross-sectional -- longitudinal -- interpersonal perception -- romantic relationships; Interpersonal relations -- Periodicals; Social interaction -- Periodicals; 302.05
• DOI: 10.1177/02654075221074677
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0265-4075

Abstract

There has been increasing interest in the analysis of dyadic data. While there is ongoing progress in the development of statistically fine-grained methods to model complex dyadic data, many studies examine relationship duration in dyads using cross-sectional data (e.g., when testing the effects of acquaintanceship on the accuracy of personality judgments). We discuss the theoretical and methodological implications of analyzing and interpreting time-based variables in dyadic research on basis of the cross-sectional and longitudinal design approaches. We give examples from the literature on romantic relationships and interpersonal perception. Finally, we derive recommendations on addressing questions of time-based indexes in dyadic research and discuss advantages and disadvantages of each approach.